Users of this web resource are warned that it may contain images and/or references to deceased people, which could cause distress or sadness particularly for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The resource may also contain words and descriptions that could be culturally sensitive and which might not normally be used in public or community contexts. For example, some information may be considered appropriate for viewing only by men or only by women. The HealthInfoNet respects such culturally sensitive issues, but, for technical reasons, it has not been possible to provide materials in a way that prevents access by a person of the other gender. Users are asked to respect this cultural protocol.

The deadly mum's guide to feeling great (2016)

Hartman J, Small T, Day K

The deadly mum's guide to feeling great booklet provides general information for mothers of babies or young children and guidance about staying fit, eating well and connecting with others to help achieve a balanced life.

Some specific topics covered include:

pelvic floor muscles

breastfeeding

diabetes

healthy meals

depression

contraception

where to go for help.

Organisations in Queensland can order up to 10 copies of the booklet free of charge. For more information about this, please refer to the contact details below.

2014

Dudgeon P, Milroy H, Walker R, eds. (2014)

Canberra: Department of The Prime Minister and Cabinet

This book was developed as an information source for health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with social and emotional wellbeing issues. The book contains comprehensive and culturally appropriate information to educate and assist health professionals who work with Indigenous clients.

The book is divided into six parts:

history and contexts

issues and influences

standards, principles and practice

assessment and management

working with children, families and communities

healing models and programs.

Many of the book chapters were authored by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous artwork features throughout the book.

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2014)

Report on government services 2014: Indigenous compendium.

Canberra: Productivity Commission

The Indigenous compendium is a compilation of data for Indigenous people. The 2014 report highlights key information about the provision of mainstream services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The report contains information on the following:

public hospital procedures reported by Indigenous status

Australian government public and community health expenditure on Indigenous primary healthcare services

school education

child protection services

vocational educations and training

police services

corrective services

mental health management

aged care services

disability services

youth justice services

housing

homelessness services.

This 12th edition of the compendium reflects several improvements in reporting by Indigenous status, including Indigenous students' science literacy outcomes and separations from selected hospital procedures for Indigenous people.

2013

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013)

Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics

This summary of the first findings from the 2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey provides information on long-term health conditions, health risk factors, selected social and emotional wellbeing indicators, health measurements, and health related actions for Indigenous Australian peoples. Information is included on Indigenous peoples living in remote and non-remote areas.

Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (2013)

Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2012.

Perth, WA: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The Summary of Australian Indigenous health status 2012 provides a plain language summary of the most recent indicators of the health of Indigenous people. It includes Indigenous-specific information on:

population

births

deaths

common health problems

health risk and protective factors.

The Summary has been prepared by the HealthInfoNet as part of its effort to help 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The Summary aims to make this information available to all people, including those without a specialised knowledge of the health field. The HealthInfoNet makes relevant high quality knowledge and information readily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers and the general community.

Game On: exploring the impact of technologies on young men's mental health and wellbeing: findings from the first Young and Well National Survey.

Melbourne: Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (2013)

Strategies and practices for promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Canberra: Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

This paper provides information on programs developed to promote social and emotional wellbeing and prevent mental illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. The paper identifies national initiatives, Indigenous specific programs, and non-Indigenous specific programs and reports on the efficacy of these programs in enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A summary of the findings is also provided highlighting the elements of effective and ineffective SEWB programs, and the areas that require further investigation.

Validation and enhancement of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatric hospitalisation statistics through an Indigenous Mental Health Worker register.

Rural and Remote Health; 12: 2002

Retrieved 4 February 2013 from http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=2002

This study examined the use of an Indigenous Mental Health Worker Register to assess the level of correct identification of Indigenous status and sources of error among psychiatric admissions within a regional public hospital information system. Inaccuracy in identification of Indigenous status on health records hampers collection of the good quality data required to guide policies, programs and services.

Holland C, Dudgeon P, Milroy H (2013)

The mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities.

Canberra: National Mental Health Commission

This comprehensive paper provides great insight into the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It builds on the information contained in A contributing life: the 2012 national report on mental health and suicide prevention by exploring more broadly the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the multitude of factors that impact on the mental health and wellbeing of this population. The paper is presented in three parts, with Part 1 providing an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. Part 2 reports on the unmet need for social and emotional wellbeing and mental health services and programs, and Part 3 focuses on national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and mental health policy.

This Overview draws on statistics and other published and unpublished materials to provide up-to-date, detailed information about the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 2012. It highlights a number of improvements in certain aspects of Indigenous health, but underlines that ongoing work is needed to 'close the gap' in health status between Indigenous and other Australians.

The National Empowerment Project Toomelah.

Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia

National Mental Health Commission (2013)

A contributing life: the 2013 national report card on mental health and suicide prevention.

Sydney: National Mental Health Commission

This second annual report card from the National Mental Health Commission on mental health and suicide prevention in Australia builds upon the first report card A contributing life: the 2012 national report card on mental health and suicide prevention.

The report is divided into the following chapters:

letters to the Prime Minister

reporting back and looking forward

thriving, not just surviving

maintaining connections with family, friends and culture

ensuring effective care, support and treatment

something meaningful to do

feeling safe, stable and secure

preventing suicide.

This report includes eight new recommendations which build upon the 10 existing recommendations from the 2012 report. These recommendations are aimed at achieving the best possible health and wellbeing for all Australians.

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2013)

Report on government services 2013: Indigenous compendium.

Canberra: Productivity Commission

This publication draws on the Report on government services 2013 to present data specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. It reports on the delivery of mainstream services to Indigenous people including services for:

childcare, education and training

justice

emergency management

health

community services

housing and homelessness.

Performance reporting focuses on the degree to which the objective for a service is met. The report details the objective (outcomes) for each service stated and the performance indicators measuring the achievement of each objective.

Improvements in reporting by Indigenous status has allowed for detailed reporting for Indigenous children enrolled and attending preschool and elapsed times for aged care services to Indigenous people.

Taylor J (2013)

Canberra: Carers Australia

The purpose of this report was to address the apparent lack of information pertaining to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. In reviewing Australian and international literature, this report sought to elucidate the caregiving experience of unpaid Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers - those providing assistance to a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue, or who are frail aged. This report provides information specific to the lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, and the barriers such carers encounter in accessing services. The report also identifies ways to better enable support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.

Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Draft roadmap is no longer available online
For roadmap see https://www.coag.gov.au/sites/default/files/The%20Roadmap%20for%20National%20Mental%20Health%20Reform%202012-2022.pdf.pdf

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (2012)

Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2011.

Perth, WA: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2011 provides a plain language summary of the most recent indicators of the health of Indigenous people. It includes Indigenous-specific information on:

population

births

deaths

common health problems

health risk and protective factors.

The Summary has been prepared by the HealthInfoNet as part of its effort to help 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The Summary aims to make this information available to all people, including those without a specialised knowledge of the health field. The HealthInfoNet makes relevant high quality knowledge and information readily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers and the general community.

Law Report (2012)

Indefinite detention and mental impairment in NT [podcast].

: Radio National

This podcast was produced by the Law Report program on Radio National. The topic of the podcast is the criminal justice situation in the Northern Territory, in particular custodial supervision orders, legislation which allows some offenders who have an intellectual or mental impairment to be detained indefinitely in prisons. Mark O'Reilly, the principal legal officer at the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service, is interviewed in this podcast.

Mental Health Council of Australia (2012)

Recognition and respect: mental health carers report 2012.

Deakin, ACT: Mental Health Council of Australia

This report provides insight into the lived experience of people who care for someone with a mental illness. It documents the findings of a survey that was distributed to mental health carers in 2011-2012 by the Mental Health Council of Australia. The survey findings have been categorised according to similarity and include: the need to recognise and respect the important contribution that carers make to the lives of people with mental illness; the carers' perspective on the services and support available to them; the carers' views of the services and support available to consumers; and the experiences of young carers, culturally and linguistically diverse carers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. Detailed information is provided for each of the major findings, with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carer section focusing on: cultural issues; services and support for Aboriginal carers; financial burdens; respite services; housing; stigma and discrimination; services and support for Aboriginal consumers; and workforce issues.

National Mental Health Commission (2012)

A contributing life: the 2012 national report card on mental health and suicide prevention.

Sydney: National Mental Health Commission

This report is the first national report card into mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. It is the product of an independent review of mental health, which involved extensive consultations with, and contributions from, people with a lived experience of mental health issues, their family and supporters, and those working in the field in varying capacities. The report card is divided into chapters, with each chapter focusing on a particular issue, such as the emotional and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The chapters include information, assessment, and commentary on how the nation is faring in relation to each issue, the progress made, and the improvements required. Incorporated into the report card are the personal stories of those affected by mental health difficulties to highlight the current circumstances of people living with mental health difficulties. The report card culminates in 10 recommendations which point to areas where real action is needed to ensure those with mental health difficulties live a contributing life.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples overcoming cycles of disadvantage for a contributing life.

This section of the A contributing life report provides information on the mental health, and the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This section of the report includes data, the personal stories of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by mental health difficulties, and the fictional story of a young boy that details his journey from early life to adulthood. It acknowledges the diversity that exists within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population while also providing insight into some of the mental health challenges encountered by Indigenous peoples, and the improvements needed to service delivery. This report section forms part of a larger document that is the first national report card into mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. The report card is the product of an independent review of mental health, which involved extensive consultations with, and contributions from, people with a lived experience of mental health issues, their family and supporters, and those working in the field in varying capacities. Included in the report card are sections dedicated to selected issues within the mental health field, as well as 10 recommendations which point to areas where real action is needed to ensure those with mental health difficulties live a contributing life.

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision (2012)

Report on government services 2012: Indigenous compendium.

Canberra: Productivity Commission

This report draws on the Report on government services 2012 to present data specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. It reports on the delivery of mainstream services to Indigenous people including services for:

early childhood, education and training

justice

emergency management

health

community services

housing and homelessness.

Performance reporting focuses on the degree to which objective for a service is met. The report details the objective (outcomes) for each services stated and the performance indicators measuring the achievement of each objective.

Sun J, Buys N (2012)

Effectiveness of participative community singing intervention program on promoting resilience and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

In: Olisah V, ed.Essential notes in psychiatry. : InTech: 245-252

This book chapter reports on a study that sought to investigate the efficacy of community participative singing on the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from several South East Queensland communities. Five groups of participants took part in the singing program over two, three month blocks. The sessions lasted for two hours and included relaxation, posture, breathing, and vocal exercises, as well as singing and socialisation. Using measures of resilience, depression, and quality of life, the results showed participants reported decreases in symptoms of depression and medication use, and improvements in quality of life and resilience over a six month period, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of participative community singing in enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Taylor AW, Marin T, Avery J, Grande D (2012)

South Australian Aboriginal health survey.

Adelaide: South Australian Population Research and Outcome Studies

This report provides information on chronic diseases among Indigenous people in South Australia, including the social determinants of health and some risk and protective factors. It includes information on:

Vivian A, Pries T (2012)

Sydney: Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, University of Technology

This report provides details of qualitative research undertaken to explore Indigenous offending in the communities of Kempsey and Gunnedah in New South Wales. For each community, it provides details about: